Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Whatcom County, WA (2026)

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Encampment Sanitation

Whatcom County only allows a temporary homeless encampment, tent camp, safe-parking area or tiny-house camp inside an urban growth area, and only under an administrative approval use permit that locks in sanitation duties: potable water at all times, sanitary portable toilets set back from property lines, hand-washing stations, food-tent controls and dedicated refuse receptacles.

Whatcom County Encampment Sanitation Rules

Some Restrictions

WCC § 20.17.060(13)-(14)

(13) The sponsor and managing agency shall assure all applicable public health regulations, including but not limited to the following, will be met for: (a) Potable water, which shall be available at all times at the site; (b) Sanitary portable toilets, which shall be set back from all property lines as determined by the director; (c) Hand-washing stations by the toilets and food preparation ar...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Homelessness & Encampment Rules by City in Whatcom County

1 cities in Whatcom County have their own homelessness & encampment rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

BellinghamPop. 91,482

2 verified rules • Encampment Sanitation, Sit-Lie Rules

All Whatcom County ordinances

See every category we cover for Whatcom County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Whatcom County Ordinance Hub →